Friday, April 13, 2012

We Apologize for the Convenience: The customer is always right, unless they're a dumb racist.

Today someone broke the cardinal rule of Customer Service. That one golden nugget of retail sales that has existed since the world's first salesman invented the wheel and attached it to his box of wares, thus becoming the world's first travelling salesman.

The Customer is Always Right*

You'll be astounded to know that is wasn't even me who broke it, but my boss. That's right- one of the Lifers- who's only job is to make customers happy and employees miserable and who- through an overabundance of unnecessary training workshops- have been conditioned to never, EVER, say no.

But today they did say no, and for that I will always have at least a tiny bit of respect for them.

Manager: Mam I can ring you up over here if you're all set.

Customer: Oh thank you! This trash-can you have, I found it for forty dollars cheaper at another store- can you price match?

Manager: Of course! Let me just verify the price at the store you found it and we can do that for you!

Customer: Fantastic. Also I would like to use my coupon on that as well.

Manager: Unfortunately I can't do a price match and the coupon, but don't worry you're still saving way more by just doing the price match than if you had used your coupon!

Customer: I was told I could use both, and if I can't I'm going to leave!

Manager: I'm sorry it's company policy, so if a friend told you that they misunderstood...

Customer: It wasn't a friend, it was one of your employees!It was that colored lady over there! (points to an employee)

Manager: ........ Excuse me? Mam I am definitely NOT going to take your coupon. Have a good day.

2 comments:

I had a similar experience, and I was in the managerial position to banish a racist customer.I witnessed this situation from the office through our DVR system. This dude came in after one of my employees, who happened to be hispanic(related to the story, I promise), explained very pleasantly over the intercom that we required all cash customers to prepay for gas. There's a full line of people and this dude just walks up to the counter and says "Turn the pump on."Then she told him again that we needed cash customers to prepay.Then he dropped this little nugget:"I'm a white man and I shouldn't have to pay YOU(I see him throw his finger in her face) before I get my gas!" But he paid her anyway and left to go pump his gas.I was like 'oh hell no'I put down my paperwork, walked out to the front and and canceled the authorization, then took his money out to him and said he could fuel up somewhere else. When I came back in, the other customers in line actually gave me a short clap. SUCCESS.

About Me

I'm a college student and expert in all things caffeinated. In my spare time I run, have deep philosophical conversations with my cat, and google various medical conditions until I'm convinced I have one. I used to have other pastimes but had to give them up when a friend informed me that "judging others" does not count as a hobby. I also clean houses, sell Advocare, and work for a giant company where my official job title is "Corporate Drone".